Species Specifics: Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, so named because of the pinkish-red blush on its lower belly feathers, is the most abundant woodpecker in eastern forests. The species’ population is holding steady or increasing and its range has expanded to the northeast and west during the past few decades. This expansion is due in part to the Red-bellies’ generalized diet: they prefer vegetable matter (nuts, seeds, berries) over protein matter (insects) and they are regular visitors at the ever-growing number of backyard birdfeeding stations.
The 9" Red-bellied Woodpecker has a black and white striped back; its sides and belly are gray or beige. The female has a red nape; the red on the male extends from the nape over the crown and onto the forehead.
Red-bellies will visit your birdfeeder for seeds, suet and peanuts. The majority of their diet, about 75%, is made up of plant material but they have been observed eating small reptiles, mammals, smaller bird’s eggs, and nestlings. In the warmer months, Red-bellies use their barbed tongue, which extends about an inch beyond the end of their beak, to extract insects from tree bark crevices.
Male Red-bellied Woodpeckers drum on dead tree limbs to attract a mate. Both sexes vocalize as the female joins the male in tapping behavior. She’ll continue tapping as he begins to chisel out a nest hole; if she approves of the location, she’ll join him in excavating the site. The nursery, with an entry tunnel and foot deep basin, will take them about a week to complete. One brood of 3-4 white eggs will be incubated by both sexes: the female incubates during the day; the male during the night. In about 12 days the eggs hatch; 25 days later the young Red-bellies leave the nest. For 2 weeks to 40 days the fledglings remain in the woods and are fed by their parents while perfecting their flying and perching abilities. Next year, the young woodpeckers will have the skills necessary to raise families of their own.